Michael Schumacher silenced his critics in a way that suits him best. Earlier today at the most coveted Grand Prix on the F1 calendar, seven time champion, Michael Schumacher registered the fastest lap during final qualifying in Monaco. But he will not be able to start tomorrow’s race from pole, as he carries a penalty from the Spanish Grand Prix where he was involved in a collision, as a result of which, stewards awarded him a five place penalty.

Michael Schumacher will now start tomorrow’s Monaco Grand Prix from the sixth position. Mark Webber, who registered the second fastest lap today, will be starting tomorrow’s race from pole position, while Schumi’s team-mate, Nico Rosberg will join Mark in the first row.

After qualifying, Michael Schumacher, who finished fastest but will start sixth after a penalty: “I’m obviously excited. It confirmed what I have felt for a long time. Sometimes you have to put everything at right moment together. Here it worked out. Thanks to the team, in particular to some of the guy who work closely with me. We had a special session earlier this week. I’m grateful to all the trust Mercedes had in me and supported me. I’m able to give back a little bit in qualifying and hope I can give more back tomorrow.”

Mercedes boss Ross Brawn: “I have to confess it took a little tear from my eye. He’s been in good shape all weekend. It all came together in qualifying. The penalty is frustrating but that’s the way it is. Making the best of the tyres is going to be the critical thing. That’s going to be the next challenge.”

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, who will start third: “It was very exciting and very tough, it was one of the toughest qualifying sessions for me for some time. I think we struggled in the middle and last sectors, at the low speed corners. I’m fortunate that Michael has the penalty so it puts us further ahead. I think it will be a tough race though, I don’t know what the weather’s going to be like and now we’re hearing tomorrow is going to be nice too. Tyres and strategy play a huge part in Monaco but if we can get a good start then we have a good chance. I have a good feeling about the weekend but I have two good drivers in front of me but I’ll do everything I can.”

McLaren driver Jenson Button, who will start 13th: “I don’t have the pace. That’s it really. This morning the car felt good, the pace was really strong but we didn’t have it this afternoon when it counts. Monaco is all about qualifying. It proved it last year. It’s the way Monaco. It’s a great place when you really hook up a lap, but I didn’t have it today.”

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean, who will start fourth: “We were looking too much time in sector two, but it’s good to be up front, even if it was a track maybe not best for the car. We are here. The race is long, and a good car on high fuel. Strategy is key tomorrow and sure I can do something.”

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, who will start ninth: “Today was a bit mixed up for me. It was looking very good in the morning. Then we did a step in the wrong direction and ended up with a not very good car in qualifying. Disappointing because Mark showed what the car can do.”

Red Bull boss Christian Horner: “Pole is the best place to be starting the Monaco GP. Mark [Webber] was competitive in all three sessions. On his last run, dropped a little time in his first sector but had a mighty sector two and sector three.”

Sauber driver Sergio Perez, who will start 24th and last: “We are analyzing what happened. In the Tunnel I had a lot of understeer, which doesn’t normally happen. When I got to Turn 13 and I went into Turn 14 the car went straight. It’s a big shame because we were so competitive. It was a big opportunity for us today. If it’s a normal race tomorrow, it will be over for us.”

Note – Maldonado drops 10 grid places for causing a collision in final practice. Schumacher drops five grid places for causing a collision at last round. Perez failed to set a time within 107% requirement, he will be starting tomorrow’s race from last position.